Every Hong Kong business must renew its Business Registration Certificate (BRC) before it expires. The Inland Revenue Department sends a renewal demand note about a month ahead, and once you pay, that note becomes your new certificate. This guide covers the 2026 renewal fees, how to renew online, by post, or in person, what to do if the demand note never arrives, and the penalties for renewing late.
Key Takeaways
- The Business Registration Office issues a renewal demand note about one month before your new certificate period starts. Paying it turns the note into your renewed BRC.
- From 1 April 2026, the standard fee is HK$2,350 for a one-year certificate and HK$6,170 for a three-year certificate, including the reinstated HK$150 annual Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund levy.
- You can renew online through GovHK or eTAX, by post with a crossed cheque, or in person at the Business Registration Office.
- If you do not receive the demand note within one month of your certificate's expiry, you must notify the Business Registration Office in writing.
- Renewing late risks a penalty and, in serious cases, prosecution, so track your expiry date and renew on time.
A Business Registration Certificate from the Inland Revenue Department carries your Business Registration Number (BRN), the 8-digit identifier that proves your company is legally registered in Hong Kong. You need it to open a corporate bank account, hire staff, and apply for government permits, so keeping it valid through timely renewal is essential.
Note that the BRN is not the same as your Company Registration Number. The difference between a Company Registration Number and a Business Registration Number trips up many founders, and renewing your business registration is separate from your company's annual filing obligations with the Companies Registry.
What Business Registration Renewal Involves
Your BRC is valid for either one year or three years, depending on the option you chose. The certificate shows your company name and address, business nature, and start and expiry dates, and it must be displayed at your place of business.
Renewal starts with a demand note from the Business Registration Office, issued about one month before the new certificate period begins. For a certificate starting in July, the note typically arrives by mid-June. It states the validity period and the fee due. Once you pay, the demand note automatically becomes your renewed BRC, so no separate certificate is issued.
Tip
If the demand note does not arrive within one month of your current certificate's expiry, notify the Business Registration Office in writing. You remain responsible for renewing on time even if the note is delayed or lost.
Business Registration Renewal Fees in 2026
The Inland Revenue Department revised business registration fees on 1 April 2026, reinstating the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund (PWIF) levy of HK$150 per year after a waiver period. The current standard fees are:
| Certificate type | One year | Three years |
|---|---|---|
| Standard BRC (company, sole proprietorship, partnership) | HK$2,350 | HK$6,170 |
| Branch registration | HK$230 | HK$658 |
Each figure includes the registration fee plus the annual HK$150 PWIF levy (HK$450 over three years). Choosing a three-year certificate locks in the fee and saves you two renewal cycles of admin.
How to Renew Your Business Registration
There are three ways to renew, and the right one depends on whether your demand note arrived.
If the demand note arrived
Simply pay the amount on the note before the new certificate period begins. You can pay:
- Online through GovHK or the eTAX portal, by PPS, credit card, or faster payment
- By post, sending a crossed cheque payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region"
- In person at the Business Registration Office or a convenience store and post office that accepts the payment
Once payment clears, the demand note becomes your renewed BRC.
If the demand note is missing or lost
You can still renew. Visit the Business Registration Office with your previous certificate and pay the fee, or send a copy of your previous certificate with a crossed cheque by post. If your registered address has changed and you have not yet reported it, update it at the same time so the renewed certificate reaches the right place. Include your Business Registration Number, company name, old and new addresses, and the date of the change.
Who Can Renew the Registration
Renewal can be handled by the business owner, a sole proprietor, a partner, a company director, or an authorised agent. Many companies let their company secretary or accounting firm manage renewals alongside their other statutory work, which removes the risk of a missed deadline.
What If You Miss the Renewal Deadline
Renewing late is an offence under the Business Registration Ordinance. The Inland Revenue Department can impose a penalty, and persistent non-payment can lead to prosecution or affect your ability to operate. A lapsed registration can also disrupt your corporate bank account, since banks treat a current BRC as part of their know-your-customer checks. If you have missed the date, pay as soon as possible to limit the exposure.
After Renewal: Key Responsibilities
Renewing the BRC is one part of staying compliant. After you renew:
- Update your records. Make sure the certificate details match your contracts, invoices, and displayed certificate.
- Renew licences and permits. If you hold industry licences, renew them at least one month before they expire.
- Meet your filing obligations. File your annual return with the Companies Registry within 42 days of your incorporation anniversary, and keep up with profits tax filing and audited accounts. See the full list in our guide to annual requirements for Hong Kong companies.
- Track the next deadline. Set a reminder for your next renewal so it never lapses.
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